[Onthebarricades] Student and education protests, November 2008

Wed Sep 16 12:52:23 PDT 2009

* UGANDA: Uprising by Kenyan students at Ugandan university over fees
* UGANDA: School student uprising at two schools
* SIERRA LEONE: School students battle police
* NEPAL: Student groups take part in shutdown
* MEXICO: Protesters battle police, demand funding
* INDIA: Tamil Nadu - Student protest police inaction during clash
* INDIA: Bihar - Students involved in anti-communalist unrest
* ITALY: Students strike, protest, battle police over cuts, "reforms"
* MALAYSIA: Students protest to keep dean, for academic freedom
* SPAIN: Students fight back against police at Barcelona degree reform demo
* IRAN: Ongoing protests over ban on dissident students
* UGANDA: Sponsored students protest fees
* TURKEY: Student protest
* SOUTH AFRICA: Protest over delayed exams
* INDIA: AP - Protest over campus delays
* GREECE: Protests against neoliberal reform
* SERBIA: Students protest admissions delay
* PAKISTAN: Students protest road death
* INDIA: Himachal Pradesh - Students protest grant cut
* INDIA: Student protest roundup
* CANADA: Ontario - Protest against tuition fees
* UK: Student protest over finances
* CANADA: Walkout over health policing
* ISRAEL: Students blockade Knesset over funding

* BANGLADESH: Teachers protest demolition of sculpture
* INDIA: Transfer of principal sparks school student protest
* IRELAND: Fees protests continue
* NEPAL: Protest against insufficient fare cut
* US: California - Students protest budget cuts, fee increases
* ST MAARTEN: Students abandon classes over stench
* INDONESIA: Teachers mark anniversary, rally for pay increase
* PAKISTAN: Violent crackdown on lecturers' protest
* CHINA: Beijing - Compulsory school jogs lead to protests
* TRINIDAD: Protest at school
* INDIA: AP - Teachers rally
* SPAIN: English-language citizenship course scrapped after protests
* INDIA: Education protests roundup
* NIGERIA: Teachers protest over salaries; 15 suspended
* LEBANON: Teachers protest over pay
* IRELAND: Teachers warn of more protests
* IRELAND: Galway cuts protest
* US: Pittsburgh - Teachers strike, parents protest
* ROMANIA: Teachers strike over pay
* US: Protest over school shuffling
* US: California - Protest against college cuts
* IRELAND: Protest over cuts; thousands rally in Dublin, Cork, Donegal
* US: Parents demand reason for firings
* US: Dallas - Protests for change
* INDIA: Puducherry - Lecturers stage sit-in protest
* US: Kentucky - Protest over escrow paychecks
* PORTUGAL: Teachers protest performance surveillance
* FRANCE: Teachers strike over job cuts
* US: Pittsburgh - Students protest schedule change
* SCOTLAND - UK: Parents hand in petition against funding cuts

http://allafrica.com/stories/200811060707.html

Uganda: Kenyan Students at Makerere University Riot
Richard Wanambwa
6 November 2008

Kenyans students studying at Makerere University yesterday rioted and 
blocked the main entry to the main building forcing the Vice Chancellor, 
Prof. Livingstone Luboobi and other senior staffs to lock themselves in 
office.
The main building is the central administration block that houses senior 
academic and administration staff.
The students who numbered about 600 paralysed most of the morning and 
afternoon routine work at the university, forcing the university 
authorities to call in police to re-enforce the regular university security.
The students told Daily Monitor that they have been forced to riot 
because their grievances which they forwarded to the Vice Chancellor 
were not answered as he had earlier promised that the university council 
would handle their concerns.
"They have forgotten about our concerns, the Vice Chancellor did not 
reply direct to us but he summoned few members threatening them instead 
of giving us the solutions from the university council," said one of the 
students who led the riot, who did not want to be named because he fears 
he would be victimised by the university administration.
A fortnight ago, Kenyan students blocked the Vice Chancellor from 
accessing his office and followed him to his home because of the alleged 
discrimination in tuition and functional fees.
" They are trying to intimidate our leaders because they feel they can 
divert us from our cause" another Kenyan leader who preferred anonymity 
for fear that he would be expelled, said.
Over 7,000 Kenyans students are studying at Makerere University; they 
accuse the university administration of discrimination when it comes to 
paying tuition, functional fees, and compulsory identification on their 
identity cards as Kenyans.
"We pay our tuition in dollars. They also double our functional fees and 
lecturers harass us because of our nationality," one of the students said.
Prof. Luboobi and the Kenyan High Commissioner were holed up in a 
meeting yesterday, trying to find solutions to the problem.
"We are trying to establish whether some people are using these Kenyan 
students to advance their interests. I am in a meeting with the High 
Commissioner of the Kenyan High Commission" Prof Luboobi said yesterday.
(The Monitor)

http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Makerere_imposes_curfew_as_Kenyan_students_riot_74712.shtml

November 11, 2008
Makerere imposes curfew as Kenyan students riot
Richard Wanambwa
Makerere

Makerere University last Friday imposed a curfew around the university 
community for fear that Kenyan students at the university could harm 
senior managers or destroy university property at night.

A notice issued by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and 
Administration, Prof. David Bakibinga, stated that it was because of the 
unwanted behaviour by these students that the curfew was imposed.

Stated the letter to the university community, “As you are aware, Kenyan 
students have been involved in a standoff with Makerere University over 
demands that they pay the same tuition fees as Ugandan students. On 
Thursday morning, the same students were involved in acts of 
hooliganism.” “These acts were exhibited by their attempts to use Petrol 
to burn electricity transformers and buildings, and they went as far as 
harassing motorists,” Prof Bakibinga further wrote.

The imposed curfew means students and lecturers staying on campus and 
the neighbouring community cannot be allowed to get out of the 
university and cannot as well access the University after midnight and 
not before 6am. “These acts, therefore, constitute a security risk, 
which management looked at and agreed to impose an immediate curfew from 
midnight to 6am every day,” Prof. Bakibinga added.

Although they are not supposed to be out of their halls of residences 
past Midnight especially for those students residing in the halls of 
residences, these students have failed to heed the rules by staying 
outside even after midnight.

Kenyans students last Thursday blocked the main entry to the Main 
Building forcing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Livingstone Luboobi ,and 
other senior staff to lock themselves in office. The students are 
protesting what they called segregation in paying tuition as they are 
charged extra charges of about $470 functional fees and the alleged 
mistreatment by lecturers basing on their nationality.

“They are trying to intimidate our leaders because they feel they can 
divert us from our cause. What we want is an explanation how we differ 
from our Ugandan colleagues,” said one of the ringleaders of the riot 
last week.

Prof. Luboobi, who met the Kenyan High Commissioner that day, told Daily 
Monitor that his meeting was to try and find out whether individuals 
were using the Kenyans students for selfish interest. According to 
University spokesperson Gilbert Kadilo, the curfew will remain in place 
for as long as the Kenyan students remain hostile to the university 
administration.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200811210460.html

The Weekly Observer (Kampala)
Uganda: Dismas Nkunda - Rioting Students Should Be Careful
Dismas Nkunda
19 November 2008
Did I hear that Kenyan students at Makerere University rioted and even 
manhandled the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Livingstone Luboobi?
Their complaint is that they pay more tuition than Ugandans for 
university education! And our dear President goes on to ask Parliament 
to allow foreign students to pay the same tuition as Ugandans, even 
before the storm at the university is over! Am I damn or something has 
terribly gone wrong in the Uganda that we long knew!
What would the two students Tom Onyango and Tom Okema who were shot dead 
by Police during a strike by Ugandan students on December 10, 1990, say 
were they to know how Kenyans were being treated? Where was the riot 
Police? Where were the mambas? Where were the Military Police? Where 
were the NRM cadres who beat the hell out of us in the early 1990s at 
Makerere for simply asking what we thought were genuine requests from a 
government that we can now say cares less about Ugandans? I don't get it!
A foreign student rioting, wanting to use petrol to burn university 
installations and nothing is done to them? Our strike leaders of the 
olden times, the likes of Norbert Mao, Wilbroad Owor, Richard Mugolo 
Kapiriri, Jacob Oulanya and many more must be wondering what on earth 
happened to Makerere!
These were Ugandan student leaders who led us into some of the more 
memorable battles. We were proud Ugandans fighting for our boom, our 
books, our transport allowance, our welfare which unfortunately has been 
slowly and surely removed by turning the university into a commercial 
institution. What would these leaders tell us today; that Ugandans 
students have become so impotent that they have nothing to strike for 
and have to wait for Kenyans to show them the way? And now we have 
turned eastwards for help? I am shocked!
Look, if we allow these Kenyans who are still basking in the Barrack 
Obama glory to take over the leadership of anger at Makerere, we are 
cooked. If we want to make an East Africa Federation which is headed by 
Kenyans and not Ugandans, we are dead.
That is why I think the President was making a strategic point about 
having the same school fees in the region. So were these students being 
encouraged to go on and strike since they had gained support from the 
man himself?
Where are the Richard Nabuderes of the Police fame who clobbered us with 
no let? Where were all the men dressed in Police uniform but shooting on 
the meat? Where were all the tanks that patrolled the university before 
we were summarily ordered to leave the university? We were so thoroughly 
beaten and scared that we did not even remember to pick our luggage as 
the university was closed. You returned to the university only after the 
Special District Administrator (SDA) cleared you.
Imagine a Ugandan studying in Kenya; they even fear mentioning that they 
are Ugandans! Otherwise the rungu wielding policemen will turn you into 
minced meat if you open your mouth. You will be lucky if they dump you 
in some prison or at Malaba or Busia border posts and bid you farewell.
Are we now content with having a Kenyan style of education here; where 
strikes are part of the curriculum? Some of these are students who have 
never completed their courses despite being in university for 10 years 
because every year the university is closed due to students' unrest; is 
that what we want at Makerere?
I am really at loss.
Agreed, Makerere has changed for worse; but where were the Ugandan 
students during this rioting; why couldn't they intervene and show these 
Kenyan brothers that post Kyankwanzi indoctrination, we abhor anyone who 
resists any authority?
Can someone tell these students that anger for us Ugandans is kept under 
wraps for fear of what will come with it? Did these students see what 
happened at the Uganda High Court? Do they know the Black Mamba? Have 
they ever tasted the sweet and sour smell of tear gas?
And these people go as far as harassing innocent motorists going about 
their mundane work? Where do they get the courage from? Next time these 
students want to riot, they should first inform the older generation of 
Makerere to show them how things are done. Ours were painstakingly 
planned, executed to such perfection that even a government minister 
would come to beg students. But these were Ugandan students.
What if the many Burundian, Rwandese and Tanzanian students that are 
supporting the myriad of schools in Uganda began striking for this and 
that? There are so many of these foreign students in this country that 
we may not be able to countenance if they begin taking the law into 
their hands.
Strikes are a preserve of only Ugandans; we are the ones who can brave 
the kind of consequences that come with the state machinery should it 
seem to them that a strike might cause harm to the establishment.
My advice to the Kenyans students is that if you want to burn our 
buildings and assault our docile motorists, be careful, we might take 
the law into our hands and escort you to Busia. We have the means!
Dismas Nkunda, The author is a human rights expert and specialist on 
refugee issues

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/491182/-/tm24io/-/index.html

Face-off at Makerere as Kenyans protest higher fees

Makerere University’s library. Kenyan students at the institution are 
complaining of discrimination by the administration. Photo/FILE
By SAMUEL SIRINGI Posted Friday, November 14 2008 at 22:46
In Summary
• Dispute threatens to tear apart pact saying regional institutions will 
charge same rates
Kenya’s 20,000-plus students studying at Ugandan universities are 
embroiled in a bitter fees row that threatens to tear apart a pact among 
regional institutions.
A decision by Makerere University to charge Kenyan students higher fees 
than their Ugandan counterparts sparked off the dispute that has sucked 
in the countries’ governments and the Inter-University Council for East 
Africa (IUCEA).
Last week, 7,000 Kenyan students studying at the university staged a 
demonstration in protest at the decision to charge them at least 
Sh35,000 more in tuition fees than local students.
And following the protest, the university administration imposed a 
curfew on the campus, saying the students could harm senior managers or 
destroy university property.
Deputy Vice Chancellor David Bakibinga said Kenyan students were 
“involved in acts of hooliganism.”
“These acts were exhibited by attempts to use petrol to burn electricity 
transformers and buildings, and they went as far as harassing 
motorists,” he said.
Besides being made to pay extra fees, the students alleged that the 
lecturers discriminated against them because of their nationality.
This week, the Kenyan Government moved in to investigate the allegations 
and the Education ministry wrote to Kenya’s ambassador to Uganda seeking 
clarification on the Makerere incident.
Director of Higher Education David Siele said the ministry wanted to 
ascertain the reasons behind to the students’ demonstration.
He said that ministry officials, together with those from the Commission 
of Higher Education, will visit Uganda in a couple of weeks to, among 
other things, assess the learning conditions for Kenyan students at the 
institution.
He said the ministry was collecting data that “will allow us to get to 
the bottom of the issues affecting our students.”
Jump onto buses
Mr Siele said that although Kenyans wishing to study outside the country 
should seek clearance from the ministry, some were not doing so.
“Most of those going to Uganda merely jump onto buses and cross the 
border without notifying us,” he said, adding, “it is the reason we do 
not know the actual number of students studying there”.
He said that some universities even offered holiday programmes for 
teachers “who travelled there in buses and matatus without informing 
anybody.”
Matters have been made worse by revelations that Kenya does not have an 
education attaché in Uganda.
Mr Siele said plans were being made to establish an office there so it 
could monitor education activities and compile statistics on students 
studying there.
The Saturday Nation however, learnt that Makerere has not implemented an 
agreement by the East African Cooperation (EAC) council of ministers 
over harmonisation of college fees in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, an 
agreement that was adopted by the IUCEA.
According to IUCEA executive secretary Prof Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha, 
Kenyan students were within their rights to dispute the fee 
discrepancies “though I do not condone strikes”.
New rule
“A decision was made by IUCEA and EAC that students from member 
countries should get the same treatment at universities in the region,” 
he said.
“Some universities have had no problem with the new rule’s 
implementation,” he said, citing Kenya’s United States International 
University and Tanzania’s University of Dar es Salaam.
But the University of Nairobi is yet to implement the new rule and is 
charging higher fees for foreign students.
Prof Nyaigotti-Chacha said some universities in the region that had 
implemented the rule made a U-turn after they learnt that Makerere had 
reneged on the agreement.
Prof Nyaigotti-Chacha appealed to university councils to embrace the new 
rule to avert further protests.
His statements were echoed by Commission of Higher Education secretary 
Prof Everret Standa who confirmed that an agreement had been reached 
that students from the region be charged the same fees at any of the 56 
member universities.
“That is the agreement and I do not understand why Makerere is behaving 
like this,” he said.
MPs rejected
But as they spoke, Ugandan MPs rejected a presidential directive that 
foreign students pay the same tuition fees as locals.
According to our sister newspaper Daily Monitor, the MPs described 
President Yoweri Museveni’s directive as a “ridiculous proposal,” with 
one MP saying: “President Museveni is unfair to Ugandans studying abroad 
who are overcharged with impunity. The global trend dictates that 
foreign students in any country should pay higher fees than local 
students.”
The MPs said that President Museveni’s directive will cause an influx of 
foreign students, exerting pressure on universities, affecting the 
quality of education.
“We cannot stop overcharging foreign students simply because some Kenyan 
students have staged a strike. There should be a policy and leaders in 
the region should have a harmonised position on the matter,” said an MP, 
Ms Sylvia Namabidde.
Prof Standa singled out cost as the major reason why many Kenyan parents 
were opting to send their children to Uganda.
The former Kenyatta University vice-chancellor said Ugandan universities 
charged half the fees charged by Kenyan universities.
Roll out
On harmonisation of degree programmes, Prof Standa said the regional 
universities were developing quality assurance systems that would ensure 
that students could accumulate their credits and transfer them to any of 
the member country universities.
“We have focused on specific degree programmes to roll out systems that 
will make it easier to transfer credits to any of the member 
universities students wished to move to,” Prof Standa said.
Prof Standa said regional universities had been advised to adopt a C+ as 
the minimum entry requirement.
Those without the minimum benchmark should be put on a programme that 
can upgrade their qualification, he said.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200811190079.html

Uganda: Kyegobe, Elgon Students Riot
Hope Mafaranga and Daniel Edyegu
18 November 2008
Kampala — STUDENTS of St. Leo's College Kyegobe in Kabarole district on 
Sunday went on strike, protesting poor hygiene in the school and 
demanding the removal of their head teacher, Joseph Mary, Etubire.
"The school has only two toilets, has poor shower rooms and bushes all 
over the place," one of the students said.
The students damaged Etubire's house and car and smashed the windows of 
his office before anti-riot Police were called in to calm the situation.
The students also said Etubire was "chasing away skilled teachers". 
Etubire, however, denied the allegations.
The district education officer, Victoria Rusoke, appealed to the school 
administration to address the students' grievances in order to bring 
sanity to the school.
The Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese, Robert Muhirwa, said investigations 
into causes of the strike were going on.
An emergency meeting attended by the college's governing board, the 
parents association, school administrators and security personnel was 
held at the school on Monday in which it was resolved that student 
grievances be addressed.
"We shall beef up the board with other members and have the issues 
resolved," Paul Kasande, the board chairman, said.
Meanwhile Uganda Technical College (UTC) Elgon in Mbale district has 
been closed for one month following a demonstration by the students. The 
students were protesting what they called poor administration at the 
institute.
"The students refused to attend lectures demanding that the Principal, 
John Twesigye, be sacked. We explained to them that it was a technical 
decision that could not be made immediately, but they refused to budge 
so we decided to send them home for a month pending investigations," 
Mbale resident district commissioner, Henry Nalyanya, told The New Vision.

http://www.news.sl/drwebsite/publish/article_200510429.shtml

Sequel to St. Edwards/Police Riot…:Police Threatens BBC Correspondent in 
Sierra Leone
By Aruna Turay
Nov 17, 2008, 17:30 Email this article
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You May Click Here To Read or Discuss Views About This Article

Following the British Broadcasting Service (BBC) report of Friday 14th 
November 2008 on the riot between the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and 
pupils of the Saint Edwards Secondary School in Kingtom, information 
reaching the Awareness Times news desk indicates that a group of 
hooligans and senior police officers at the Police Barracks in Kingtom 
have threatened to either kill or at the very least, "seriously 
manhandle" the BBC Correspondent, Lansana Fofana.
This was even confirmed in the presence of this reporter by one of the 
senior officers (name withheld), who alleges that the BBC Correspondent 
"filed in a false, unfounded and one sided report against the police", 
and therefore "must be dealt with".
When he was contacted, the BBC’s Lansana Fofana indeed confirmed the 
report of the threats on his life.
The senior journalist disclosed that he got wind of the ugly development 
in the wake of filing the said report that was aired on the BBC Network 
Africa.
"According to my intelligence report, the threats were coming from these 
senior officers and other relatives of the police at the Barracks," 
Lansana Fofana told this reporter, adding that he wasted no time in 
contacting the police hierarchy about the occurrence.
However, the swift intervention of the police hierarchy was able to calm 
the tension that was gradually developing into a breach of public peace.
Meanwhile, a meeting intending to bridge the misunderstanding was 
summoned yesterday Sunday 16th November 2008 and the outcome of that 
meeting is believed to have been an amiable ending to the 
misunderstanding. However, given the seriousness of the threats made on 
the BBC’s correspondent’s life, this newspaper is continuing to closely 
monitor the situation.

http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2008/nov/nov27/news04.php

Protests disrupt traffic in Kathmandu
Transport services in Kathmandu valley have been disrupted from early 
morning Thursday as student groups and relatives of the two slain youths 
staged protests in several places.

An empty road as transport services in Kathmandu valley was disrupted as 
student groups and relatives of the two slain youths...

Traffic in Kalanki, Kalimati, Balkhu, Pradarshanimarg and other places 
have halted with the situation turning tense due to the protests.
The protestors alleged police authorities of not paying attention though 
the parents of Ritesh Rauniyar and Ashish Manandhar reported their 
disappearance on November 16.
The protestors also demanded guarantee of security for citizens and 
compensation to the deceased families.
The two teenagers from Tahachal were reported disappeared since November 
15. Their dead bodies were discovered in Thankot on Wednesday. 
nepalnews.com ia Nov 27 08

http://www.blinkx.com/burl?v=I7p1fpWl8TLmJv9xkRxJH6DiYw49NIcQRSzR3X6AA0Gbwk5yFawOuk--8qYtxGnuDTl-iaaQrmAi7rQqPwyOi6SuepdRDpHC

Police, Protestors Clash In Mexico
The dispute centered on the students' demand for additional education 
funding from the government. Glen Walker reports.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1206089

Students protest police inaction during clash
PTI
Thursday, November 13, 2008 17:03 IST
COIMBATORE: A group of students on Thursday went on the rampage and 
damaged furniture and windows of a law college here protesting the 
alleged inaction of police during the clash between two groups of 
students in Chennai, police said.
About 60 students reportedly involved in the stone pelting and damaging 
college property have been arrested, they said.
The college students, covering their faces with handkerchief, were found 
breaking window panes and furniture and the total loss was estimated to 
be around Rs four lakh, college sources said.
Coimbatore Range DIG Sivanandi said that police entered the college 
premises following a request from the Principal. About 200 police 
personnel were maintaining vigil.
Students protested against the police for "remaining mute spectators" 
during the clash at the Dr Ambedkar Government Law College in Chennai 
yesterday in which three students were severely injured.
The students here would boycott classes and exams till the culprits were 
arrested, the sources said.
The college has since been closed and the examinations for Friday and 
Saturday have been postponed, they said.
Meanwhile, a person belonging to the 'Vishwakarma Traditional Gold 
Manufacturers and Trade Association' removed his shirt and set it on 
fire in the District Collectorate premises, protesting the alleged 
police inaction.
He has been taken into custody for interrogation, police said.

http://story.indiagazette.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/701ee96610c884a6/id/429753/cs/1/

Law college students protest police inaction, court asks for report
India Gazette
Thursday 13th November, 2008
(IANS)
Law college students across Tamil Nadu held demonstrations and pelted 
stones on government property Thursday to protest alleged police 
inaction during a clash between students in the city law college that 
left three students seriously injured. The high court has ordered the 
state government to file a detailed report on the incident by Tuesday.

The violent protest by law college students across the state led to 
examinations being postponed for three days, officials said.

The Madras High Court Thursday ordered the Tamil Nadu government to file 
a detailed report before Tuesday on a clash on the campus between 
students of the Dr. Ambedkar Law College, Chennai.

Hearing a writ petition filed in public interest by a PMK lawyer V. 
Balu, the bench comprising Chief Justice A.K. Ganguly and Ibrahim 
Khalifullah posed questions about the apparent lawlessness that 
prevailed on the campus.

Appearing for the state government, advocate Raja Khalifullah informed 
the court about the police officials suspended and transferred on 
charges of dereliction of duty, and said the situation was under control.

Joint Commissioner of Police Abhay Kumar Singh announced the suspension 
of nine policemen, including Assistant Commissioner Narayan Murthy, and 
the transfer of six others.

The repercussions of Wednesday's violence and the alleged police 
inaction saw violent protests in various parts of Tamil Nadu.

In Chennai, a mob set fire to a government bus in the northwestern 
suburbs here as protest. Ten people were remanded in judicial custody 
for the violence, police said.

Over 60 students were arrested in Coimbatore, 500 km southwest of here, 
for indulging in violent acts in the law college there, Deputy Inspector 
General of Police P. Sivanandi told reporters. The students were, 
however, let off in the evening, he added.

Several law colleges were declared closed till further notice to contain 
the statewide unrest by agitated students who attacked educational 
institutions and government property, sources said.

On Wednesday, students of Dr. Ambedkar Law University in Chennai had 
fought pitched battles over the contents of an invitation for a 
political event, attacking each other with sticks and iron rods. The 
three students injured in the clashes are in hospital in a serious 
condition.

In the state assembly, Law Minister Durai Murugan Thursday announced the 
suspension of the college principal K.K.Sridev and a probe into the 
incident by P. Shanmugham, a retired judge of the Madras High Court.

Eyewitnesses said police officials had remained mute spectators and 
failed to control the violence in which three students were injured.

The college and its hostel would remain closed till further notice, he said.

He said seven students had been detained and more arrests would follow.

One of the injured students is on life support, hospital sources said.

Opposition parties slammed the police for being 'mute spectators as 
students set upon each other murderously'.

While opposition leader J. Jayalalitha expressed shock at the inaction, 
Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary D. Pandian termed the 
violence 'barbaric' and the 'unwillingness on the part of the police - a 
sad despicable state of affairs'.

Opposition AIADMK legislators were expelled en masse from the house by 
speaker Auvudaiyappan when they repeatedly shouted slogans against the 
government's 'failure to tackle lawlessness in the state'. MDMK 
legislators staged a walkout in support.

Many opposition leaders demanded the resignation of Chief Minister M. 
Karunanidhi, who is in charge of the home portfolio.

'Breakdown of law and order in the face of a stunned police force 
manacled by political interference has become a regular feature during 
DMK rule,' political commentator Cho S. Ramaswamy said.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/24raj4.htm

Arson, violence marks anti-MNS protests in Patna

October 24, 2008 15:01 IST

Anti-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena protests continued unabated in Bihar for 
the fourth day on Friday with agitated students indulging in arson and 
vandalism in Patna over assault on Hindi speaking candidates of railway 
recruitment examination in Mumbai.

Around 100 youths armed with sticks descended on the streets in Boring 
Road area of the capital on Friday and smashed window panes of shops and 
pulled down arches put up for Diwali, police said.
The agitators also hurled stones at a police outpost on Boring 
Road-Srikrishnapuri intersection. Initially exercising extreme 
restraint, the men in uniform baton-charged the violent crowd when they 
started smashing private vehicles, sources said.
The students also resorted to burning tyres to block traffic on Boring 
road, which were soon extinguished. Two students suffered minor injuries 
in the baton-charge they said, adding, a strong contingent of police was 
rushed to the spot.
When contacted, Srikrishnapuri police station sources said no arrests 
have been made so far and claimed that the situation was "calm and under 
control."
Patrolling has been intensified and static forces deployed at vital 
points to meet any eventuality, they said, adding, there were no reports 
of violence from any other part.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/11/09/Student_protests_turn_violent_in_Rome/UPI-10531226208362/

Student protests turn violent in Rome
Published: Nov. 9, 2008 at 12:26 AM
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ROME, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Hundreds of students protesting planned changes in 
the Italian university system tried to occupy a Rome train station.
Police beat them back at the Ostiense station Friday, the Italian news 
agency Ansa reported. There were claims of brutality on both sides, with 
protesters saying that officers used their batons freely while police 
said some students threw bottles.
Students also gathered around the main railway station and tried to 
block bridges over the Tiber River. Marches were also held in other 
cities, including Milan, Turin, Naples and Palermo.
Protests by both university and high school students have been under way 
for three weeks. Last week, about 1 million people attended a mass rally 
in Rome.
The government of Silvio Berlusconi has proposed a number of changes, 
including cutting down on the number of degree courses, allowing 
universities to become foundations to get private funding and 
distributing some government funding based on performance.
Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said change is necessary because 
Italian universities "produce fewer graduates than Chile" and have a 
poor reputation.

http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-10/2008-10-30-voa41.cfm?CFID=145594729&CFTOKEN=87167328&jsessionid=00309e5d73ae63d610ef1b4086026311d167

Italian Students, Teachers Protest Education Cuts
By VOA News
30 October 2008

Italian students in Rome at a demonstration against school reforms, 30 
Oct 2008
Thousands of students and teachers are marching through the streets of 
Rome and other Italian cities to protest new education reforms.

A strike Thursday closed schools across the country as students joined 
in the demonstrations.

Students and unions representing teachers called for the strike to 
protest the reforms, which will reduce spending on education and research.

Italy's Senate gave final approval to the new education law Wednesday as 
student protesters clashed with right-wing counter-demonstrators in Rome.

Witnesses say some students started throwing cafe chairs and tables in 
Rome's historic Piazza Navona, sending tourists and shop owners running 
for cover.

Police intervened, and four people were injured.

Demonstrations against the cuts have been swelling over the past two weeks.

Some teachers are holding classes outside in city squares, publicly 
expressing anger over new education policies.

They include provisions where teachers can fail students for bad 
behavior, and elementary school students will be given the same teacher 
for five years.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/international/europe/2008/10/30/180990/Clashes-in.htm

Thursday, October 30, 2008 10:04 am TWN, Reuters
Clashes in Italy as students protest against cuts
ROME -- Clashes broke out in Rome’s historic Piazza Navona on Wednesday 
when students throughout Italy occupied squares and blocked traffic to 
protest against a new law expected to cut spending on education and 
research. The Rome demonstration was peaceful until a group of 
right-wingers wielding clubs and chains arrived and clashed with other 
students, witnesses said.
Tables and chairs from an outdoor cafe were hurled into the air, sending 
tourists running for cover as police in riot gear moved in to break up 
the melee. About 15 students were detained, police said. Three students 
and one policeman were injured, they added.

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/2245348

Italian students clash at protest
Published: 9:18AM Thursday October 30, 2008
Source: Reuters
• Read
Clashes broke out in Rome's historic Piazza Navona when students 
throughout Italy occupied squares and blocked traffic to protest against 
a new law expected to cut spending on education and research.
The Rome demonstration was peaceful until a group of right-wingers 
wielding clubs and chains arrived and clashed with other students, 
witnesses said.
Tables and chairs from an outdoor cafe were hurled into the air, sending 
tourists running for cover as police in riot gear moved in to break up 
the melee.
About 15 students were detained, police said. Three students and one 
policeman were injured, they added.
The protests took place as the Italian Senate approved the law drawn up 
by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right government but which 
the centre-left opposition has vowed to repeal with a national referendum.
"We are protesting because we have no future," said Francesco Marri, a 
university student protesting outside the Senate, which is next to 
Piazza Navona.
Demonstrations against the reforms have been swelling over the past two 
weeks across Italy.
The students say the changes will hinder their ability to get a good 
education.
The government says the law, which deals mostly with primary and 
secondary schools, will trim waste and put Italian schools on an equal 
footing with other European school systems.
The secondary pupils have been supported by university students and 
professors opposed to cuts in education and research in the 2009 
national budget.
To underscore their discontent, some secondary school teachers and 
university professors held classes in the squares.
"Most of my students realise that they will have to go abroad, either to 
the United States or elsewhere in Europe, if they want to advance their 
careers," said Carlo Maria Bertoni, a physics professor.
Bertoni, the department head of a university in northern Modena, held a 
lecture in geology in Piazza Navona in the shadow of Bernini's 17th 
century Fountain of the Four Rivers.
"This whole situation stinks," said Nella Converti, a high school 
student from the Analdi school in Rome's outskirts. "As soon as I 
graduate, I want to go to Spain to study - anywhere but here in Italy, 
which is mired in petty politics".
Medical students from the Sant' Andrea teaching hospital of Rome's 
University bicycled through Rome wearing their white coats and 
stethoscopes around their necks to protest against the cuts in spending 
on research.
Similar demonstrations were held up and down Italy, from Milan in the 
north, where students blocked traffic and occupied a train station, to 
Naples in the south, where they occupied the main square. Minor clashes 
were reported in Milan.

http://www.mathaba.net/rss/?x=611615

Italian students protest against gov`t education reform
Posted: 2008/11/17
From: MNN

ROME, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of university and high school 
students from across Italy joined a national protest here against 
government spending cuts in the higher education sector on Friday, 
Italian News Agency ANSA said.

Traffic was paralyzed as students marched through the streets towards 
Piazza Navona for the main rally after arriving in special coaches and 
trains from all over the country.

Italian trade unions said around 500,000 students took part in the 
protest, although police said 100,000 was a more accurate estimate.

Italian Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said ahead of Friday's 
protests that she "understood the concern" of the students over 
government reforms.

But Gelmini said the government would go ahead with the reforms despite 
protests from students and teaching staff alike, who have been staging 
sit-ins, marches and open-air lessons for the last four weeks.

"I'm working so that at least one Italian university can be counted 
among the top 100 in the world," she said.

"It's a difficult challenge and I realize as minister I have full 
responsibility, but I also realize that to be successful everyone needs 
to work together."

Students are protesting over planned government spending cuts of 1.5 
billion euros (about 1.91 billion U.S. dollars) in the sector as well as 
a raft of cost-reducing reforms which have yet to be finalized and are 
tipped to include a reduction in the number of courses offered and the 
closure of some outlying university branches with low student attendance.

The government also has plans to allow universities to become 
foundations in order to top up public funding with private investments.

The economist blasted on Friday the current university system as "one of 
the worst managed, worst performing and most corrupt sectors in Italy."

But opposition politicians say the government reforms are primarily 
motivated by the need to cut costs rather than for the good of the system.

High school students joined Friday's rally to protest against school 
reforms already passed by parliament, which include a return to a 
single-teacher system for most subjects for children in elementary schools.

This is the second national protest held by the education sector in two 
weeks following one focusing on the school reforms on Oct. 30.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/nov2008/ital-n21.shtml

Italy: Student protests continue against cuts in education
By our reporter
21 November 2008
On November 14, students in Italy continued to protest against 
government cuts in higher education. According to organisers, up to 
500,000 students demonstrated in a national mobilisation in Rome. 
Students came to the capital from scores of towns and cities including 
Milan, Turin, Pisa and Naples. Traffic ground to a halt during the day 
as the students made their way to the main final rally, held in Piazza 
Navona. The university students were also supported by many high school 
students.
The students are protesting the passage of Law 133, the so-called 
Gelmini reform (after Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini). The 
decree will lead to at least 87,000 teaching jobs and 44,500 
administrative posts being lost at state schools over the next three 
academic years to 2012. Universities also face the threat of 
privatisation. Many smaller schools are to be closed as part of €8 
billion in cuts. The law will also re-introduce the single-teacher 
system for most subjects for children in primary schools.
According to a report at the ansa.it web site, many students carried 
banners stating their opposition to Law 133 and to Prime Minister Silvio 
Berlusconi and Mariastella Gelmini. Other students left a coffin 
symbolising the death of education in the entrance of the Senate.
Students from Rome high schools held up banners reading, “How long, 
Gelmini, will you abuse our patience?”
On the same day, smaller rallies were held in other Italian cities while 
protests were also held by Italian researchers and students in Germany, 
France and Belgium.
In opposition to the large student demonstration, a small right-wing 
protest was held outside the Education Ministry in Rome. At the rally 
placards were held that read, “Go Gelmini” and “Against the new 
1968ers”. This banner was in reference to the massive student movement 
that occurred in a number of European countries in 1968.
According to a lecturer interviewed by BBC News, Law 133 will have a 
“disastrous” impact on the future viability of universities. Professor 
Giancarlo Ruocco, who lectures in physics at the University of Rome, 
told the BBC his department could lose 30 percent of its staff in three 
years if the full cuts go ahead.
“It would be a disaster,” said Ruocco. “Not only for the immediate 
future, but 10 years from now when we no longer have researchers 
carrying out fundamental inquiries into pure science.” Ruocco also 
warned that the measures could lead to the closures of universities and 
their eventual privatisation.
A second year student, also quoted by the BBC, said that the law “would 
double my fees next year.” She added, “Universities would become elitist 
and only attract rich kids.”

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/international/2008/November/international_November914.xml&section=international

Tens of thousands protest higher education cuts in Italy
(AFP)

14 November 2008

ROME - Tens of thousands of students and academics took to the streets 
of Rome to protest massive cuts in Italy's higher education budget on 
Friday to coincide with a nationwide university strike.
The Italian capital was brought to a standstill by two separate marches 
-- one by high school and university students and the other by 
university faculty and researchers -- amid a heavy police presence as a 
helicopter circled overhead.
To the beat of reggae music and behind a banner proclaiming "Together 
for the Country's Future," protesters holding colourful balloons marched 
against a plan to cut some 1.4 billion euros (1.8 billion dollars) from 
funding for universities and research institutes over the next five years.
"Hands off public schools, universities and research," one banner urged 
the centre-right government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi that 
took office in May.
"These are not university reforms the government is proposing," said 
protester Claudio Gatti, a researcher at the National Nuclear Physics 
Institute.
"The mandarins, who cost the most, will stay in the system and the 
vulnerable youth -- the life force of research and universities -- will 
be left out," Gatti, 35, told AFP.
Italy's three main unions called the national higher education strike 
several weeks ago, but one, the Catholic-oriented CISL, announced 
Wednesday that it was pulling out of the action after meeting with 
Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini.
The minister sought to assure the young protesters that she sympathised 
with their cause and was trying to help them.
"I say to all these young people that I understand their upset and share 
their concerns. I am by their side," she said in an interview with the 
daily La Repubblica. "I was a student too, and I was worried about my 
future."
Gelmini said she was committed to "education that encourages the talents 
of young people, that offers them real opportunities to study and obtain 
worthwhile diplomas in the world of work."
The higher education strike was observed in several Italian cities, the 
ANSA news agency reported, adding that protests were held in the 
Sardinian capital Cagliari, the northern economic hub Milan, 
northwestern Genoa and Palermo, in Sicily.
On October 30 more than 100,000 people protested in Rome against planned 
cuts to primary school education.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/6534290.html

Italian students protest against gov't education reform

10:28, November 15, 2008

Thousands of university and high school students from across Italy 
joined a national protest here against government spending cuts in the 
higher education sector on Friday, Italian News Agency ANSA said.

Traffic was paralyzed as students marched through the streets towards 
Piazza Navona for the main rally after arriving in special coaches and 
trains from all over the country.

Italian trade unions said around 500,000 students took part in the 
protest, although police said 100,000 was a more accurate estimate.

Italian Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said ahead of Friday's 
protests that she "understood the concern" of the students over 
government reforms.

But Gelmini said the government would go ahead with the reforms despite 
protests from students and teaching staff alike, who have been staging 
sit-ins, marches and open-air lessons for the last four weeks.

"I'm working so that at least one Italian university can be counted 
among the top 100 in the world," she said.

"It's a difficult challenge and I realize as minister I have full 
responsibility, but I also realize that to be successful everyone needs 
to work together."

Students are protesting over planned government spending cuts of 1.5 
billion euros (about 1.91 billion U.S. dollars) in the sector as well as 
a raft of cost-reducing reforms which have yet to be finalized and are 
tipped to include a reduction in the number of courses offered and the 
closure of some outlying university branches with low student attendance.

The government also has plans to allow universities to become 
foundations in order to top up public funding with private investments.

The economist blasted on Friday the current university system as "one of 
the worst managed, worst performing and most corrupt sectors in Italy."

But opposition politicians say the government reforms are primarily 
motivated by the need to cut costs rather than for the good of the system.

High school students joined Friday's rally to protest against school 
reforms already passed by parliament, which include a return to a 
single-teacher system for most subjects for children in elementary schools.

This is the second national protest held by the education sector in two 
weeks following one focusing on the school reforms on Oct. 30.

http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-10/2008-10-30-voa41.cfm?CFID=156465972&CFTOKEN=44606833&jsessionid=66302435f4e76c93d5432a3e462537304530

Italian Students, Teachers Protest Education Cuts
By VOA News
30 October 2008

Italian students in Rome at a demonstration against school reforms, 30 
Oct 2008
Thousands of students and teachers are marching through the streets of 
Rome and other Italian cities to protest new education reforms.

A strike Thursday closed schools across the country as students joined 
in the demonstrations.

Students and unions representing teachers called for the strike to 
protest the reforms, which will reduce spending on education and research.

Italy's Senate gave final approval to the new education law Wednesday as 
student protesters clashed with right-wing counter-demonstrators in Rome.

Witnesses say some students started throwing cafe chairs and tables in 
Rome's historic Piazza Navona, sending tourists and shop owners running 
for cover.

Police intervened, and four people were injured.

Demonstrations against the cuts have been swelling over the past two weeks.

Some teachers are holding classes outside in city squares, publicly 
expressing anger over new education policies.

They include provisions where teachers can fail students for bad 
behavior, and elementary school students will be given the same teacher 
for five years.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/6534290.html

Italian students protest against gov't education reform

10:28, November 15, 2008

Thousands of university and high school students from across Italy 
joined a national protest here against government spending cuts in the 
higher education sector on Friday, Italian News Agency ANSA said.

Traffic was paralyzed as students marched through the streets towards 
Piazza Navona for the main rally after arriving in special coaches and 
trains from all over the country.

Italian trade unions said around 500,000 students took part in the 
protest, although police said 100,000 was a more accurate estimate.

Italian Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said ahead of Friday's 
protests that she "understood the concern" of the students over 
government reforms.

But Gelmini said the government would go ahead with the reforms despite 
protests from students and teaching staff alike, who have been staging 
sit-ins, marches and open-air lessons for the last four weeks.

"I'm working so that at least one Italian university can be counted 
among the top 100 in the world," she said.

"It's a difficult challenge and I realize as minister I have full 
responsibility, but I also realize that to be successful everyone needs 
to work together."

Students are protesting over planned government spending cuts of 1.5 
billion euros (about 1.91 billion U.S. dollars) in the sector as well as 
a raft of cost-reducing reforms which have yet to be finalized and are 
tipped to include a reduction in the number of courses offered and the 
closure of some outlying university branches with low student attendance.

The government also has plans to allow universities to become 
foundations in order to top up public funding with private investments.

The economist blasted on Friday the current university system as "one of 
the worst managed, worst performing and most corrupt sectors in Italy."

But opposition politicians say the government reforms are primarily 
motivated by the need to cut costs rather than for the good of the system.

High school students joined Friday's rally to protest against school 
reforms already passed by parliament, which include a return to a 
single-teacher system for most subjects for children in elementary schools.

This is the second national protest held by the education sector in two 
weeks following one focusing on the school reforms on Oct. 30.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/14/europe/EU-Italy-Student-Protest.php

Italian students protest proposed reforms

The Associated Press
Published: November 14, 2008

ROME: Thousands of students are marching through Rome to protest 
proposed changes to the education system backed by Premier Silvio 
Berlusconi's government.
The students say such changes, including funding cuts, would damage 
education, while the government says they would target waste and 
corruption in the university system.
The students came to the capital aboard trains and buses from up and 
down Italy, and marched Friday through central Rome, snarling traffic.
It's the latest in a series of protests by the university students.
Late last month a demonstration in Rome turned violent, with clashes 
among rival groups of students.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/92678

Students protest to retain principal Lee Way Loon | Nov 7, 08 4:26pm 
Gathered in front of the United Chinese School Committees Association of 
Malaysia (Dong Zong) office, they held banners and shouted slogans such 
as "Don’t ignore our wishes", "Campus democracy, academic freedom" and 
"Extend dean's service".

http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/15843/students-clash-with-police-at-degree-reform-demo

Students clash with police at degree reform demo
By: thinkSPAIN , Friday, November 21, 2008
A student demonstration march through Barcelona yesterday lunchtime led 
to a brief but violent clash with riot police deployed to stop them 
reaching the Ramblas, leaving a number of protesters, as well as some 
journalists, slightly injured.
Following the scuffle, the demonstrators returned to the Plaça 
Universitat where around a hundred stormed the headquarters building in 
a failed attempt to the occupy the Rector's offices.
A large banner with the slogan 'Aturem Bolonya' (Let's stop Bologna) was 
unfurled from the building's terrace, which encapsulates the motive for 
the campaign.
Students are unhappy that traditional Spanish degrees are being scrapped 
under the Bologna Process, the purpose of which is to make academic 
degree standards more comparable and compatible across Europe.
They argue that the scheme will lead to "educational inequality and 
insecurity," and "the commercialisation" of higher education.

http://www.rferl.org/Content/Banned_University_Students_Continue_Protest_In_Tehran/1352523.html

Banned University Students Continue Protest In Tehran
November 24, 2008
Four students banned from Tehran's Allameh Tabatabai University entered 
the third day of a demonstration today in an effort to gain their 
readmittance.

The students say they were banned from classes after they protested the 
closing of a student publication by university officials.

The students say they were beaten by security forces and removed from 
their sit-in at the university on Sunday.

Protester Mahdieh Golrou told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that many students 
support the protest. Golrou -- who has not been allowed to attend 
classes for two years -- says she and the others will continue 
protesting until they have written permission that they can return to 
the university.

In the past three years, dozens of students have been banned from 
classes and suspended from studies because of their activism or 
criticism of the government.

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/18/659036

Kichwamba government-sponsored students protest fees
Tuesday, 11th November, 2008
E-mail article

Print article

By Hope Mafaranga

STUDENTS of the Uganda Technical College, Kichwamba in Kabarole have 
gone on strike to protest against an order that government-sponsored 
students pay a functional fee of sh378,000.

The students said they were not supposed to pay extra fees because the 
Government meets all their expenses.

They said the functional fee has forced some students to abandon their 
studies because they cannot pay the money.

The students have vowed to boycott classes until the Ministry of 
Education looks into the matter.
The principal, Joram Adutu, said the functional fee was intended to help 
the college meet the extra costs.

He said the Government only caters for the tuition of the students and 
teachers’ salaries.

Adutu said the Government introduced new courses last year, but did not 
give the college money for the lecturers. He added that he would convene 
a meeting next week to discuss the matter.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/11/03/Turkish_students_sued_for_protest_slogans/UPI-92641225733925/

Turkish students sued for protest slogans
Published: Nov. 3, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Order reprints | Feedback
IZMIT, Turkey, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Eight students at Turkey's Kocaeli 
University violated a penal code article by shouting derogatory slogans 
during a recent protest, a lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit filed by the Gendarmerie, a Turkish group that polices the 
civilian population, alleges the students used hurtful slogans against 
Yusuf Turkish Council of Higher Education President Yusuf Ziya Ozcan, 
Bianet reported Friday.
The use of those derogatory slogans during Ozcan's April 3 visit to 
Kocaeli University violated penal code Article 301 that makes any 
comments against Turkey or its government illegal.
The slogan at the center of the legal controversy was "Get out 
Gendarmerie, universities are ours," Bianet reported.
The students allegedly used the questionable slogan during a protest by 
nearly 100 university students at the university's Umuttepe Campus.
Bianet said the Ministry of Justice must approve the Article 301 case 
before the Gendarmerie can move forward with its request for two years 
in prison for the university students.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Top&set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20081104055401807C829669

Matric exam dispute leads to protest

November 04 2008 at 08:18AM

By Angelique Serrao

Police had to be called in to calm a group of angry matriculants who 
were told they could only write their exams in May next year.

Last week The Star uncovered a situation where over 200 matrics at 
Siyaphambili Secondary School in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, 
were told by their teachers they would only be allowed to register as 
part-time candidates next year. Some teachers had also been fired and 
asked not to return to the school.

The school said they were forced to ask the pupils to write their exams 
next year because the pupils had not handed in their portfolios. The 
Grade 12s denied this, saying their portfolios had been deliberately 
lost by their teachers.
On the first day that the majority of pupils across the country wrote 
their first Outcomes Based Education curriculum exams, about 30 matrics 
from Siyaphambili were protesting outside the school on Monday.

While the shouting and threats were going on outside the school, about 
50 Grade 12s were sitting in classrooms trying to concentrate on their 
English exam.

"We are angry that those learners can write and we can't," said one pupil.

"We want to make noise and disturb them."

District officials from the Gauteng department of education were at the 
school to try to sort out the situation. Even though the issue of 
portfolios had not yet been resolved, the district organised for pupils 
to write their exams if they wanted to.

But most of the protesting pupils refused, and only two took up the 
offer to write their exams.

"We can't write now, we didn't study," said Nonkululeko Madi.

"Why didn't they tell us sooner, and we could have prepared ourselves?"

Basetsana Phehle said she was angry because the school kept on lying to her.

"Now they change their story. When we wrote our trial exams, nobody 
bothered to mark them, and the teachers often don't teach us. What about 
our portfolios? What will happen to them?"

The director of the school, Michael Mabaso, urged the pupils to come in 
and write their exams.

He said only a few pupils were causing trouble while the majority had 
signed forms saying they would write their exams next year.

"This is a properly run school. The pupils did not want to do their work 
and didn't hand in their portfolios, so,in trying to comply with the 
rules, we told the learners that if they write as part-time candidates 
next year, they won't need portfolios."

When asked if they would go in and write, the pupils demanded to be 
shown their exam numbers and timetable. When these were produced, they 
still refused to write.

Mabaso said the school asked two teachers to leave the school last month 
when it was discovered they did not have South African Council of 
Educators accreditation, and he believed these teachers were urging the 
pupils to cause trouble at the school.

"I don't understand what the problem is," said Grade 12 pupil Mzwandile 
Msibi.

"I made an agreement with school that I will write next year. There are 
advantages to my writing next year. It's too late to fight now, and why 
disturb the other learners who are writing now?"

Mzwandile wasn't the only one unhappy with what the others were doing.

Vusi Maphike said he was at a parents' meeting last week and he was 
satisfied that his son would write his matric next year.

"These are only a few children causing trouble. My son didn't work this 
year. I went to work thinking he went to school, but when I checked his 
books, I saw he didn't do his work. I told him that either he works or 
he must just forget it. He will write next year."

Police eventually managed to calm the crowd down and got them all into a 
classroom where many reluctantly agreed to write their exams next year.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Education&set_id=1&click_id=105&art_id=vn20081104055401807C829669

Matric exam dispute leads to protest

November 04 2008 at 08:18AM

By Angelique Serrao

Police had to be called in to calm a group of angry matriculants who 
were told they could only write their exams in May next year.

Last week The Star uncovered a situation where over 200 matrics at 
Siyaphambili Secondary School in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, 
were told by their teachers they would only be allowed to register as 
part-time candidates next year. Some teachers had also been fired and 
asked not to return to the school.

The school said they were forced to ask the pupils to write their exams 
next year because the pupils had not handed in their portfolios. The 
Grade 12s denied this, saying their portfolios had been deliberately 
lost by their teachers.
On the first day that the majority of pupils across the country wrote 
their first Outcomes Based Education curriculum exams, about 30 matrics 
from Siyaphambili were protesting outside the school on Monday.

While the shouting and threats were going on outside the school, about 
50 Grade 12s were sitting in classrooms trying to concentrate on their 
English exam.

"We are angry that those learners can write and we can't," said one pupil.

"We want to make noise and disturb them."

District officials from the Gauteng department of education were at the 
school to try to sort out the situation. Even though the issue of 
portfolios had not yet been resolved, the district organised for pupils 
to write their exams if they wanted to.

But most of the protesting pupils refused, and only two took up the 
offer to write their exams.

"We can't write now, we didn't study," said Nonkululeko Madi.

"Why didn't they tell us sooner, and we could have prepared ourselves?"